Mercury-separator



LAHAVEHLY.

MERCURY. SEPARATOH. APPLlcATlpN FILED APR. 2, 1919.

,1.,1H`AV'ER'LY- MERCURY "SEFARATOR.

Y APPLICATION FILED A'PR.2, 1919. 1,372,137. Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

u 4 sHEETs-SHEET 3. it

gfHAvERLY. MERCURY sEPARAToR. APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1919- Y)atented Mar. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

JEROME HAVEBIiY, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA;

MERCURY-SEPARATR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22,1921.

y Application led April 2, 1919. Serial o. 286,954.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JEROME HAvnRLY,`a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mercuryi Separators, of which the following `is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in mercury separators, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with tailings or placer material to effect a saving of the mercury and of the gold, platinum or similar values.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character including an amalgam box having coacting therewith means for forcing the auriferous orotherva'luebear`- ing material below the mercury surface to assure the` desired separation of the values.

Another object of the invention is to Vprovide a device of this general character including novel and improved means whereby the waste material rising to the surface of` the mercury is withdrawn fromthe amalgam box, together with means to recover and return to the amalgam box the mercury which may be withdrawn with the waste, and particularly the mercury which may be directly carried by the` waste. v

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this genera-l character including a shaking or vibratory pandischarging within the amalgam box and with which coacts agitating means wherebythe mercury which may be delivered upon the pan in connectiop `with the waste will be recovered.

y A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character including a panleading from the amalgam box, together with means coacting with the box and pan, for withdrawing the waste from the box and carrying such waste over the-pan.

Furthermore,. it is an object of the inven tion to provide in connection with the amalgam box and pan novel and improved conveying means including material engaging blades reciprocating over the pan and in a direction toward and from the amalgam box, 'together with means for raising' and holding the blades in an inoperative position during the movements of such blades toward the amalgam box."

` The invention consists in the `details of construction and in the combination.and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mercury separator whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understoochl will now proceed to de? scribefthe same withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: y

Figure l is a view in top plan, with portions brokenaway, of a mercury separator constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of my improved separator as herein embodied.

n Fig` 3 is a fragmentary view in side eleva tion opposite to that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4.--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is `an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the lower or forward end portion of my improved separator as herein embodied, the rear portion being omitted for clarity in disclosure. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view inwtop plan of the amalgam box as herein included, and

F'ig. 8 is a sectional View taken longitudinally of the machine through the amalgam box, said section being taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

As disclosed in the accompanying draw ings, A denotes" a substantially horizontal amalgam box of desired depth and having a rearwardly and upwardly inclined extensionl and extending beyond the opposite ends of the box A proper;` The extension 1 is of a depth less than the depth of the box Aproperfand has its upper or rear side portion free and unobstructed and defined by a depending `flange 2. p

Secured to the forward portions of the end walls 3 of the box A are the upwardly directed standards 4 provided at their upper ends with the boxings o which rotatably support the opposite end portions of a shaft (5 extending. longitudinally of the box ifi.

The front longitudinal wall 7 of the box A is provided with a plurality of spaced and inwardly directed blocks 8 to which are .held by the clampsQ .the vertically disposed feed cylinders or pipes 10. The cylinders or pipes 10 are open at their opposite ends and the lower end portions of said pipes extend t 'below the mercury level a of the box A but are spaced from the bottom 1l of the box. The opposite or upper end portions of the feed" cylinders or pipes 10 terminate a dis- 'y tance above the box A. but below the shaft 6.

The opposite end portions of each of the feed cylinders or, pipes 10 have disposed radially thg-zreacrossV the members or bearings 12 which rotatably support the. opposite end within the feed cylinder direction of rotation is y,mercury level ci to assure theseparation of tli'e values from the material. g rllhe upper end portions of the shafts 14 are' operatively connected through the mcdium of the bevel gears 15 with the shaft G so that upon requisite rotation of the shaft 6, all '.of the spirals S willbe caused erate iniunison.`

' The shaft Gmay. be driven in any desired toropi mannen but as herein disclosed said shaft Ghas fixed to an sprocket Y end portion thereof asprocket 16 over whichis directed a chain 17. The chain 17 is also directed around a 18 fixed to the shaft 19.

The shaft 19 is disposed longitudinally of .the box A exteriorly thereof and is support- Ved for 2O securedto the front wall 7. The shaft 19 rotation by the outstanding bearings is .adapted to be coupled in anyV desired manner with a suitable source of power f and which connection is indicated by the sprocket 2l. Y Positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the extension 1 are vthe rearwardly directed and upwardly inclined beams B arranged in parallelism. The 4beams B may be supvention, it is believed -that ported; in any'desired manner and as this forms y.no particular'part of my present ina detail disclosure of such support is unnecessary. Each of the loeamsy B; is preferably a channel rail y with ,its-openlface inwardly directed. 6o y.

.the lower flanges thereof is a Connecting the beams B and resting upon bottom plate or apron'22 having its forward `end substantially defined byadepending flange 23 riveted orotherwise secured to the depending flange 2 hereinbefore referred to. The

, therewith a .which contact of the upstanding flanges 2l snugly fitting between the flanges of the beams l und suitably anchored to the beams.

The forward or lower end portions of the beams B terminate in advance of the extension 1 of the box fi and supported by said beams for reciprocal or recurrent movement longitudinally of said beams are Ahe spaced blades 25. Fach of the blades Q5 has its opposite end portions secured to the inwardly directed extensions or arms QG carried by the spindles or stub .shafts 2T. lioosely mounted on the spindles or sha ts Q7 are the rollers 2S having direct contact with the upper flanges 7) of the beams li. Similar spindles or shafts 2 are operatively connected with the pitinen or ripid links Q9 so that all of the blades Q5 will move in unison and in the sume `general direction.

rlhe desired reciprocal or recurrent movenient may be imparted to the blades 25 in any desired manner but it is preferred to employ the arrangement disclosed in thel accoinpanyinpr drawings and wherein one of the spindles or shafts 27 of the forward or lowermost blade has operatively engiagi'ed rigid link 30 also operatively engaged with the sprocket 2l. The. second spindle or shaft 27 of the forward or lowerinost blade 25 has operatively connected therewith the link 520 also operatively engaged with the rock arm 3l secured to the adjacent end portion of the shaft 19 and which rock arm 31 is provided with the balancing' extension or member 32. The strokes or throw of the links 20 and 30a are the same.

rlhe connections of the spindles or shafts 27 with the pitmen 29 are such as to permit said spindles or shafts to have rockingT movement.

Fixed to each of the similar spindles or shafts 27 of the blades Q5 and outwardly of the adjacent beam B is a rearwardly and downwardly inclined lever 33. The lower extremity of the lever carries :in inwardly directed pin 361. upon which is loosely mounted a roller 3o adapted to contact with the outstanding' flange 3G carried b v and disposed longitudinally of the beam P und the roller 35 with said flange serves to operate the downward. movement of the lever 33 to properlj-,fY position the coacting blade during the rearward or upward movement thereof.

Pivotallv supported by the beam B above the flange 36 'and in advance of each of the levers 33. when the blades are at the limit of their forward movement. is a latch or dog' 37. rlhe latch or dog 37 is disposed downwardly and rearwardly on a; desired incline and which inclination is maintained or determined by the contact ofsald lever with the lflange 36. f

As the blades 25 are moved upwardly and rearwardly of the beams B, the rollers 35 `the blades 25 being rocked or swung upwardly into an inoperative position. When the rollers 35 pass over the forward or pivoted ends of the dogs or latches 37, the blades drop to their normaler working position and which position, as hereinbefore stated. is controlled by the contact of the rollers with the flange 36.

Extending inwardly from the beams I3 at their opposite end portions are the brackets 3S from which depend the hangers 39 supported for swinging movement in a direction laterally of the beams B. The lower end portions of the hangers 39"" are pivotally engaged, as at 40, with the shaking pan P and which pan has its bottom 41 positioned in close proximity to the bottom plate or apron 22 hereinbefore referred to. The upper surface of the bottom 41 of the pan P has a coating 42 of silver deposited thereon by electrolysis and for which reason it is preferred that the bottom 41 be made of copper. 1

The second beam B or the beam not provided with the flange 36 is provided adjacent its opposite ends with the oustanding bearings 43 which rotatably support a shaft 44 extending longitudinally of said beam. Mounted upon the shaft 44 are the eccentrics 45 surrounded by the straps 46 carried by the outer end portions of the rigid links 47. Each of the links 47 is directed through a suitable opening 48 in the beam B and the adjacent flange 24 of the bottom plate or apron 22 and either end portion oflsaid link is pivotally engaged, as at 49, with the pan P so that as the shaft 4'4 rotates the pan P will be effectively shaken or vibrated.

The forward or lower bearing 43 also rotatably supports a shaft 50 perpendicularly.

related to the shaft 44 and said shafts 44 and 50 are operatively connected, as at 51, by miter gears. The shaft 50 is driven in any desired manner and, as indicated, by the sprocket wheel 52.

The forward or lower end portion of the bottom 41 of the pan P is provided with a flange 53 which partially extends within the box A and projecting forwardly from said flange 53 and spaced longitudinally thereof are the agitating pins 54. The rear end portion of the bottom 41 is also provided with an upstanding flange 55.

Resting upon the upper surface of the bottom 41 and disposed longitudinally thereof and substantially equidistantly spaced from said bottom 41 are the sprips or cleats 56. Resting upon `the strips or cleats 56 and suitably secured thereto are the cross strips` or cleats 57 provided with the upstanding agitating pins 58. rlhe strips 57 are spaced apart a distance to permit each `of the blades with the exception of the lowermost or forward blade to have its reciprocal orreeurrent movement between a pair of adjacent strips 57 or more particularly the upstanding pins 5S carried thereby.

The forward or lowermost blade 25 coacts with the amalgam box proper and operates to deliver upon the pan P the waste rising to the top'of the mercury, while the remaining blades 25 operate to carry such waste upwardly of the pan to be discharged at the `upper orfrear end thereof. hen in `their `normal or working position, the blades 25 are substantially at right angles to the bottom 41 of the pan P.

As the waste is being conveyed upwardly of the pan P, the shaking or vibrating of saidpan serves to separate from such waste kany mercury which may he carried therewith and which recovered mercury will flow back into the box A. This separation of the mercury from the waste is materially facilitated by the coating 42 of silver as the mercury will immediately spread as it comes `in contact with said. coating 42 and at once flow back into the box A. It is also to be noted that this separation of the mercury from the waste is facilitated by the agitating pins 54 and 58.

I also find it of advantage to arrange rearwardly of the feed cylinders or pipes 10 and above the box A the spray pipe 59 for the purpose of thinning the waste or tailings as the same is fed to the shaking pan.

I also `find it of advantage to have pivotally engaged with the front wall ce of the extension 1 and the side walls G0 of the pan P the reticulated plates 61 to prevent material and water from passing around on the outside of the pan P.

I also find lit of advantage to provide the forward portion of the ,box A at substantially its longitudinal center with a collect ing well 62 provided with a normally closed opening 63 so that the collected values or the mercury within the box may be readily withdrawn thereform.

From the foregoing description, 1t is thought to be obvious that a mercury separator constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement andV formation of the several parts hereinshown in carrying ont my invention in practice ex'ceptV as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:V

l. In a device'of the class described, a raking mechanism comprising a pair of elongated members arranged substantially in parallelism, a plurality of transversely disposed shaftsV slidably engaged with said members, means for maintaining said shafts in fixed relative positions and for recprocating said shafts, blades normally depending from said shafts, rock arms carried by the shafts and provided with lateral eXtensions, and inclined pivoted latches carried Y by one of the members, each of said latches co'acting with an extensionof a rock arm,

-said'extension passing beneath the latch upon `movement of the shafts in one direction and over the latch to swing the blade of the shaft upwardly during the movement "of the shafts inthe opposite direction.

2. Inca device 'of the .class described, a raking mechanism comprising a pair of elongated members arranged substantially in parallelism, a plurality of transversely disposed shafts slidably engaged with said members, means for maintaining said shafts in fixed relative positions and for reciprocating said shafts, blades normally depending from said shafts, rock arms carried by the, shafts and provided with lateral extensions, inclined pivoted latches carried by one of the members, each of said latches coacting with an extension of a rock arm, said extension passing` beneath the latch upon movement of the shafts in one direction and over the latch to swing the blade of the shaft upwardly during the movement of the shafts in, the opposite direction, and an outstanding flange carried by said last named elongated member and with which the extensions of the rock arms engage to limit the downward movement of the extension during the first named movement of the shafts.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

` JEROME I'IAVERLY. lVitnesses ROBERT R. RUSS,

JOHN H. RoBiNs. 

